Video as an Art

Video the Reflexive Medium

------ analog vs digital vs HD

What does that development do to how we use and understand video? Not literally, but how would these distinction effect how we create content? How is the content of what we make or see in film affected by the media itself?

In my mind, some of the most important elements when we talk about the videotape format are: developed technology in this medium, the topic/content of the video imagery, the presentation/performance of video art (like video installation and video sculpture), and finally the audience’s reflection/response to the video art.

We all understand the differences between analog film and digital video in their technical aspects. And the improvement in imagery quality from SD to HD is obvious. That brings more options and possibilities when we create some audiovisual pictures under a certain purpose. We can enlarge a detail and slow-down a movement. However, it is not the technical possibility that define the art content we’re making, it is the content or the “soul” of the video decides the certain format we will choose. The audience’s physical and psychological responses to one certain visual/audiovisual format is the vital part of the art we’re making, by the use of the reflexive medium. That impacts the effects of expression of video media in a great way. On the other hand, that also affects the artist’s decision on applying or modifying one certain art form.

Dispositive: adj. (in US law) producing a final settlement or determination.

1). Relating to or bringing about the settlement of an issue or the disposition of property.

2). Dealing with the disposition of property by deed or will.

3). Dealing with the settling of international conflicts by an agreed disposition of disputed territories: a peace settlement in the nature of a dispositive treaty

---   “open, dispositive structure of camera and monitor image”

When I am making a piece of video art, the first question come to my mind would be “how my audience will response to this?” Should the content of my video raise a question for the audience or give them an answer? The place I’m going to show my video will let my audience feel welcomed and comfortable or will they feel nervous and terrified? And the way I’m going to present my video should be more interactive with the viewers or should it be totally in charged by myself? All of these aspects will influence my audience’s physical and psychological reflection on my video. And I will consider all of those effects when I make my video art.

When we are making a video, we are trying to express some thoughts through the use of certain standard audiovisual language of the media. Audience will response to that piece of work dependent on the “open, dispositive structure of camera and monitor image” we provided. We choose the perspective, direction, and the timeline when we start the storytelling process. The video our audience will see is something that can be only decided by us, by the artists, by the use of certain angle of the camera and the size/feature/surroundings of the monitor we used to present the work. Surely, imagination works as one important affecter when audience’s trying to understand the artwork. But that imagination and the power of resonation are relied on the audiovisual expression we already designed at the first place.